Hunting with Heroes offers opportunities

Disabled hunt event to be Nov. 8 to 10

Oct. 8, 2013

Written by

Dick Martin

CentralOhio.com

The Hunting with Heroes program has announced its fall hunting opportunities for disabled hunters. Now in its fifth year, the Lt. Colonel Ted Epple Veterans with Disabilities Bow Hunt is set for Nov. 8 through 10.

Past hunts have been quite successful with 10 deer harvested during the 2012 hunt and 5 deer harvested in 2011. Eighteen hunters participated in the 2012 hunt and program coordinators would like to see 25 participants for the 2013 hunt.

Ten lucky young hunters also can register for a chance hunt on some of the finest whitetail country in Allen County. The Dream Catchers Bow Hunt is open to disabled hunters 17 and younger. This hunt is Oct. 26 and 27.

Each hunter will be paired with an experienced guide. To register, call Joe Sawmiller at 419-204-2805.

• In the midst of deer archery season, the ODNR would like to request all hunters wear a full-body safety harness and use a climbing safety strap whenever they leave the ground.

Tree stands are one of the most popular pieces of equipment used by deer hunters nationwide. However, because of human error or equipment failure, the number of debilitating or fatal injuries resulting from their use is higher than it should be.

Statistically, one of three hunters will fall from a tree stand at some point in his or her hunting career. Given that statistic, it is imperative the proper safety gear be used correctly.

• An enhanced website will offer Ohio hunters a quick and easy way to check harvested deer with their smart phones.

The enhanced site at ohiogamecheck.com is available now and allows hunters to check deer, including landowners not required to purchase a deer permit. A valid email address and phone number are required to use the website on a mobile device.

• A new tagging procedure administered by the Division of Wildlife requires hunters to make their own game tag to attach to a deer. Game tags can be made of any material (cardboard, plastic, paper, etc.) as long as it contains the hunter’s name, date, time and county of the kill.

Go to the Deer Hunting Resources page at wildohio.com for information on changes to the game check process.

• Outdoorsmen interested in hunting ginseng in the Wayne National Forest or other federal lands are reminded that a permit is required and there are limitations on the amounts they can harvest.

For information about permits and other requirements, call 740-753-0862.

• Readers interested in preserving their environment are invited to the 2013 Green Gala at 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 2. The event will be at COSI, 333 W. Broad St., in Columbus.

A number of speakers will be featured, with a dinner, entertainment and an eco-friendly silent auction as visitors mix and mingle with Ohio’s environmental-conservation network. For information or to purchase tickets, call 614-487-7506.

• Trappers have the chance to pursue beaver and river otter on 81 Ohio wildlife areas, state parks and other publicly managed lands through controlled trapping opportunities.

The Division of Wildlife provides trapping permits to manage beaver and river otter populations. It also offers a fair system for all trappers with an interest in these recreational activities.

The lottery system for awarding these trapping permits on select public lands allows area managers to set specific limits and restrictions based on the needs for those areas. The application fee is $3 per event, and trappers may apply for each event once per year.

Interested trappers can apply through the mail, Division of Wildlife Controlled Trapping, 2045 Morse Road, Building G-2, Columbus, Ohio, 43229. Application forms are available at wildohio.com.

Dick Martin is a retired Shelby biology teacher who has written an outdoor column for more than 20 years. He can be reached at richmart@neo.rr.com.